Ten young men were celebrated with a standing ovation yesterday as they graduated from the Department of Parks’ Skills Development Training Programme.

The Department of Parks, the Department of Court Services, and other agencies in partnership with the Bermuda Garden Club developed the hands-on volunteer programme as training and development for young people who are interested in learning about horticultural and the trade of landscaping.

The 2016 graduates are Adrian Benjamin, Tarik Ebbin, Jahmahi Lewis, Eric O’Connor, Kevin Simmons, Ty Jon Simmons, Jason Simons, Dakari Wade and Tajae Williams.

The event was hosted for the first time at the Arboretum by the Minister of the Environment, Cole Simons, and featured guests such as former Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, the Right Reverend Ewen Ratteray, Bermuda Industrial Union president Chris Furbert, and senior probation officer Russ Ford.

“The Skills Development Programme is an excellent training opportunity for our young people between the ages of 19 and 25,” Mr Simons said.

“The training course includes ten modules which have verbal and hands-on assessments at the end of each module to ensure the participant has learnt the material. Examples of the modules are plant pruning, pest management, plant identification, spraying, propagation, ground preparation and planting, hand tools, operations and maintenance of small equipment. Since its launch, the programme has achieved much success and accolades. We are very grateful for all the support that has been given to this initiative.”

Last year, 16 participants landed part-time jobs and four received full-time employment.

Also in attendance was Puisne Judge Nicole Stoneham, who was the ceremony’s guest speaker. She spoke highly of the graduates, expressing that they all have bright futures ahead of them in the horticultural industry. She said: “I want to commend the Ministry of the Environment, the Department of Parks, in particular Roger Parris and Sam Santucci for having the vision. And I say to all Government officials, you have gems within you who have the vision to make it work for our future.”